You may have loved your tattoo when you first had it done but that was probably a long time ago. Or maybe your ink is a more recent addition but you wish you hadn’t got it. It is estimated that nearly one-third of people with tattoos regret getting them. Still, many of those surveyed said wouldn’t consider having them removed. This is understandable as many past tattoo removal treatments were painful and provided less than stellar results. The advanced technology behind PicoSure laser tattoo removal changes all that. Those who have been hesitant in the past may want to reconsider having that unwanted tattoo removed.

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

In the past, other methods of tattoo removal such as dermabrasion and cryosurgery have been used, but laser removal is widely regarded as being the most effective method. The intense light of the laser penetrates the skin, breaking up the ink particles and causing the tattoo to fade gradually. The body’s immune system will then remove these pigments over time. The laser energy is harmless and only targets the pigmented skin, leaving the surrounding skin unharmed.

Multiple sessions are needed to break down the tattoo. The number of sessions varies depending on the size and colors of the tattoo. Treatments are typically scheduled 4 to 8 weeks apart as it takes that long for the body to remove the fragmented pigment.

Laser tattoo removal has been around for a couple of decades. For years, Q-Switched lasers were the gold standard in tattoo removal. PicoSure laser technology has taken it to the next level.

Why is PicoSure Different?

Both PicoSure and Q-Switched lasers break up the ink particles of a tattoo, allowing them to be removed by the body. This may have you wondering – what is so different about PicoSure laser?

The term LASER is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Both the Q-Switched Laser and the Picosure laser create a beam of energy. This energy can be modified to perform a variety of tasks including tattoo removal. For medical aesthetic procedures, the source of energy needs to be controlled to prevent damage to the skin. PicoSure and Q-Switched lasers each create a different type of energy.

Q-Switched lasers create photothermal/heat and release this energy in nanoseconds or one billionth of a second. While this may seem like an extremely short amount of time, a significant amount of heat is generated. This heat can subsequently cause damage to the skin. Some skin types are more sensitive than other and because of this Q-Switched lasers can only be used on certain skin types.

PicoSure lasers create photomechanical/pressure waves and release this energy in picoseconds or one trillionth of a second. Therefore, a high amount of energy can be released in an extremely short timeframe. The shorter time frame prevents the heat being generated and reduces the chance of burning the skin or altering the pigmentation.

The extremely short burst of energy released by PicoSure also shatter tattoo ink into much smaller particles than the Q-Switch laser. The smaller particles are more easily absorbed by the body. PicoSure is also the first and only aesthetic picosecond laser that is FDA-cleared for the removal of tattoos.

So what does all this mean for those who are suffering from tattoo regret? While every tattoo is unique and presents its own challenges when it comes to removal, PicoSure provides a more effective tattoo removal process. It offers better results with fewer treatments and can be used on previously treated tattoos with positive results. It is also more effective on stubborn blue and green inks. Less painful than the Q-Switched laser treatment, the PicoSure process provides a quicker recovery as well.

Ready to Consider PicoSure Tattoo Removal?

Vive Medical Weight Loss and Aesthetics is a proud provider of state-of-the-art laser tattoo removal using PicoSure. If you have an unwanted tattoo and have been putting offer having it removed, stop waiting! Call today for a consultation and find out if PicoSure laser tattoo removal is right for you.